Wildfires in southern France: 900 hectares affected in Aude and Hérault – Evacuations and crisis unit

Pouzols-Minervois – 02.07.2026: In several departments in southern France, firefighters and civil protection forces have been fighting extensive forest and vegetation fires since Wednesday. Dry conditions, high temperatures and strong winds have favored the spread. Particularly affected is a large blaze that broke out in Oupia (Hérault), crossed the departmental border and, according to authorities, burned around 900 hectares in the Aude. Incident commanders reported repeated spot fires igniting on hard-to-reach slopes during the night.

For safety reasons, residents in Mailhac and Pouzols-Minervois were temporarily evacuated; assembly points and emergency shelters were provided by municipalities and the prefecture. The fire service reported active flanks and smoldering hotspots, although some fire fronts were considered partially stabilised on Thursday morning. Several road sections were closed to keep corridors clear for operations and to avoid visibility impairments due to smoke.

On site, hundreds of personnel from the affected SDIS units are working, supported by regional reinforcements. The civil protection fleet carried out numerous water drops: Canadair aircraft and additional firefighting planes were used to hold fire lines and prevent re-ignitions in maquis and pine forests. Ground crews cut firebreaks, protected farmsteads and critical infrastructure such as power lines and access roads. The prefectures urged the public to keep access routes clear and to strictly follow instructions from emergency personnel.

In parallel, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu led an interregional crisis meeting in Marseille on July 2 with representatives from the interior ministry and civil protection. According to official statements, personnel, flight hours and logistics are to be flexibly allocated according to the fire situation. Authorities reminded that an above-average number of ignition points had already been recorded early in the season and that the risk remains high due to the weather conditions. Access and usage restrictions were imposed for several forest areas.

Additional fires were reported in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var departments. Overall, the affected area summed to more than a thousand hectares according to situation reports on Thursday. Regionally, there were disruptions to road traffic, temporary closures of hiking trails and restrictions on forestry work. Health services warned vulnerable people about smoke exposure and recommended keeping windows closed in affected zones.

The situation is dynamic; prefectures and the fire service are continuously updating their guidance. For residents and travelers: no open fires outdoors, no smouldering cigarette butts, do not park vehicles on dry grass, and report any suspicions immediately via the emergency numbers 18 or 112. A relaxation of the situation is not expected until winds subside and more moisture reaches the vegetation.